"Let He Xue stay at the General's Mansion for the time being. I will increase the number of people protecting the General's Mansion," the Crown Prince said.

"Has the Emperor agreed?" Jing Shu realized he had been making a fuss after saying that. Since the Crown Prince had said so, Kangxi must have agreed.

"This is the Empress Dowager's decree, how could Father Emperor disagree?" the Crown Prince asked with a smile.

"I see. When does Your Highness plan to return to the palace?" Jing Shu asked.

"Did I say I was going back to the palace? Father Emperor asked me to take care of He Xue, so naturally I'll be wherever He Xue is!" the Crown Prince said smugly.

"The Crown Prince is indeed extraordinary; he can portray shamelessness in such a refreshing and unconventional way!"

"Thank you for the compliment!" the crown prince said casually.

"Your Highness is too kind!" Jing Shu said through gritted teeth.

The Crown Prince looked at Jing Shu and laughed unkindly.

The two chatted about other things, and then the Crown Prince left the study.

Tongjia looked at Hexue and tentatively said, "Why don't you come back today and have dinner before going back? Your mother will make your favorite fish soup!"

"Mother, I need to stay at the General's Mansion for a while!"

"Really?" Tongjia asked excitedly.

“Really, Mother!” He Xue assured her.

"That's good!" Lady Tongjia said happily. Since Hexue married the Crown Prince, she had seen Hexue less often and missed her terribly, but she couldn't enter the palace at will.

Especially after He Xue married the Crown Prince, the General's Mansion's every word and action attracted attention. She didn't ask for anything else, she just hoped that the General's Mansion wouldn't cause He Xue any trouble.

"Mother, you should be happy that the Crown Princess is back to stay!" Wanyan said, seeing that Tongjia's eyes were red.

"Yes, Mother is happy!" Tongjia quickly wiped the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.

"Your Highness, you must stay at the General's Mansion for a few more days this time. Your father and mother have been very worried about you!" Wanyan said to Hexue.

“Alright, sister-in-law, just call me He Xue! We’re family, no need to be so formal!” He Xue said to Wanyan Shi.

“Alright, you stay with your mother for now! I’ll go check on your courtyard. Although it’s cleaned every day, you’re pregnant now, so it’s better to be careful!” Wanyan said, getting up.

"Thank you for your trouble, sister-in-law!"

Wanyan curtsied before leaving.

"He Xue, what exactly happened?" Madam Tongjia asked anxiously, knowing that He Xue wouldn't have returned to the General's Mansion for a short stay for no reason.

He Xue knew she couldn't hide it from Tongjia, so she told Tongjia what had happened during this time.

After hearing this, Lady Tongjia was filled with lingering fear. "I never imagined that Consort Liang would be this kind of person!"

She's incredibly resourceful, managing to get bondservant families to do things for her!

"She also took advantage of Uya's hatred for my aunt and me to get Uya to hand over all her trump cards to her," He Xue said with a sigh.

"Consort Liang committed such a heinous act, how could His Majesty only strip her of her title!" Lady Tongjia was extremely dissatisfied with Kangxi's handling of the matter.

"Mother, the Empress Dowager is still in charge of the inner palace. She has already issued an edict to banish Consort Liang to the Cold Palace!"

"To be banished to the cold palace is nothing, she should be put to death! Who knows what she might do in the future!" Lady Tongjia said with lingering fear.

"Mother, we should proceed with this matter gradually. Father Emperor has already expressed his dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince forcing him to punish Consort Liang. Let's wait until this period of time has passed before discussing it further!"

"Your maternal grandfather has already handed over the power of the Tongjia clan in the palace to you, so you must protect yourself!" Tongjia Shi said to He Xue with concern.

"I understand! Mother, don't worry, I'll be fine. My brother, the Crown Prince, has arranged many people around me!"

The people from the Tongjia clan in the palace, including Xue, were still left with the Imperial Noble Consort. She had people arranged by the Crown Prince by her side, so she didn't need them for the time being. However, in order to put Tongjia's mind at ease, she didn't tell Tongjia about it.